Winter to Spring: How We Prepare the Farm for a New Growing Season
While February might still feel like the heart of winter, behind the scenes at Three Petals Farm, we’re already hard at work preparing for the upcoming flower season! Growing beautiful, healthy blooms starts long before the first signs of spring. From tending to the soil to starting seeds for early blooms, here’s a look at what’s happening on the farm as we transition from winter to spring.
1. Prepping the Soil for a Season of Growth
Healthy soil is the foundation of thriving flowers, and winter is the perfect time to prepare our flower beds for the growing season ahead. During this time, we:
✔ Add compost and organic matter to enrich the soil.
✔ Test and amend soil as needed to balance nutrients.
✔ Remove any leftover plant material from last season to keep pests and diseases at bay.
Good soil prep now means stronger, more vibrant blooms later!
2. Starting Seeds for Early Spring Flowers
While it’s still too cold for most flowers to bloom outdoors, we get a head start by starting seeds indoors for some of our earliest spring varieties. Right now, we’re planting:
🌱 Lisianthus – These delicate, rose-like flowers take months to grow, so we start them early!
🌱 Snapdragons & Stock – Cool-weather flowers that will be among the first to bloom.
🌱 Tulips & Ranunculus – Our fall-planted bulbs and corms are getting ready to make their debut!
Seed starting indoors allows us to have strong, healthy plants ready to go into the ground as soon as the weather warms up.
3. Pruning and Prepping Perennials
Some of our farm’s perennials, shrubs, and flowering branches need a little winter care to encourage the best growth in spring. February is the time when we:
✂ Prune forsythia and lilacs to promote strong flowering.
✂ Cut back old growth on perennials like yarrow and echinacea.
✂ Divide overgrown plants to keep them healthy and productive.
This ensures that these plants come back stronger and more beautiful year after year.
4. Preparing Our Greenhouse & Farmstand
With our farmstand opening for the season in just a few months, we also use this time to:
🏡 Organize tools, pots, and supplies so we’re ready for planting.
🏡 Restock farmstand products like soaps, candles, and body care.
🏡 Plan upcoming floral workshops for spring and summer.
5. Watching for Signs of Spring!
Even in the chilly days of February, we’re always looking for the first hints of spring. Some of our earliest blooms will start appearing soon, including:
🌿 Pussy willow – Soft, fuzzy catkins start emerging on their branches.
💛 Forsythia – A burst of yellow that signals spring is near.
🌷 Tulips & daffodils – The first leaves begin peeking through the soil.
Excited for Spring? Stay Connected!
We can’t wait to share all the beautiful flowers and products coming this season! Follow along on social media or stop by our farmstand in the coming weeks to see what’s in bloom.
Spring is just around the corner—get ready to welcome the season with fresh, locally grown flowers from Three Petals Farm! 🌸🌿
